WHO confirms that the world’s first outbreak of the Marburg virus has been registered in the West African country of Equatorial Guinea.
– Preliminary tests after nine deaths in the country’s western Kie Ntem province are positive for the viral hemorrhagic fever, the organization writes.
In the past, individual cases of the viral disease, which is transmitted to humans via bats, have been recorded. In addition to the 9 deaths, there are 16 suspected cases.
The Marburg virus is highly lethal; between 24 and 88 percent of those infected die. Earlier symptoms are fever, headache and muscle pain – followed by diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
– Patients who have reached this stage have been described as having ghostly features, sunken eyes, expressionless faces and lethargy, have WHO previously written.
Many bleed from several places on the body, and death usually occurs eight to nine days after the first symptoms.
There are currently no effective medicines against the Marburg virus, but work is being done to develop such.
– Thanks to the quick and determined reaction of the Equatorial Guinean authorities, the emergency response can be up and running quickly, so that we can save lives and contain the virus as soon as possible, says Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
